Datti Baba-Ahmed: Buhari’s second term will destroy Nigeria

Datti Baba-Ahmed, a presidential aspirant, says the second term of  President Muhammadu Buhari will destroy Nigeria.

In a chat with The Interview, the Pro-chancellor of Baze Unversity, Abuja, asked Nigerians to vote for him in 2019.

He spoke of his plans and the way through which he intends to tackle economic challenges confronting the country.

“Buhari’s second term will destroy Nigeria and unsettle the rest of Africa,” he said.

“My government will stabilise the naira by tackling the current high risk factors, reduce interest rates and flood the capital market with investible funds.”

Two other presidential aspirants — Kingsley Moghalu, former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Omoyele Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters, also spoke with The Interview

 Moghalu said Nigerians would remember Buhari, “for his record of failed performance on his campaign promises on security, the economy and corruption”.

Asking for the support of Nigerians, Moghalu said his presidency would reposition Nigeria for economic prosperity, “by creating an enabling environment for a productive, innovation-led economy, with a better approach to taxation that will reduce dependence oil revenues”.

On his part, Sowore said, “Buhari is done”. He laid out a three-pronged policy covering security, power and infrastructure, which he said would lift the country from its present state.

He promised to create at least 250,000 new jobs in the agricultural sector, with commercial ranching operations that would cover 20 million cows.

Two of the aspirants, Moghalu and Sowore, have not yet announced their party platforms, while Baba-Ahmed was a member of the house of representatives and a senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). - Cable Nigeria

CAF : Nigerian referee banned over attempted match manipulation

The Referees Committee of the Confederation of African Football ( CAF ) has confirmed the recommendation of  its Disciplinary Board to ban Nigeria referee,  Joseph Ogabor,  from any official mission for one year over  attempted match manipulation.

A statement on CAF website on Sunday said this was with respect to the Total CAF Confederation Cup 1/16th round first leg between Plateau United (Nigeria) and USM Alger (Algeria) played on April 7, 2018,  in Lagos.

The decision follows investigations conducted and evidence submitted by the South African match officials of the match  who were contacted by Ogabor to provide “technical assistance” to the Nigerian team.

Plateau United was also cautioned to refrain from the practice of hospitality gifts which tend to create wrong impression.

In a related development, the South African Football Association has  been ordered to tender an apology to the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ).

This was after investigations proved that there was no evidence of any official of the NFF being linked to an allegation of US$30,000 bribe. - NAN

Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader's home bombed in Enugu

The country home of the embattled President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo at Ukehe in Enugu State, was on Sunday rocked by bomb blast.

DAILY POST reports that Nwodo’s leadership of Ohanaeze has been enmeshed with serious crisis for several months now.

According to the Enugu State Police, the blast emanated from an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, which was thrown into his house by unknown persons from outside his compound.

The explosion, which destroyed part of his building, left the the ceiling and windows of the house shattered.

Media Adviser to the President General, Chief Emeka Attamah, who confirmed the attack said that the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, accompanied by the Area Commander for Nsukka Police Command and the Divisional Police Officer for Igbo Etiti LGA, were there to inspect the scene of the blast which created a crater in the compound.

Addressing the people who tripped to Chief Nwodo’s home, the Commissioner enjoined them to always be vigilant and to report any strange faces to security operatives.

Danmallam who described Enugu State as very peaceful, wondered why some miscreants would be after the life of Chief Nwodo who he said is only serving his people.

He added that what happened was a sign for the need for greater security around him.

The Commissioner ordered that security be beefed up in and around Chief Nwodo’s compound and promised that the perpetrators would soon be identified and brought to justice.

Earlier, the Commander of the Bomb Disposal Unit, DSP John Aniche, had briefed the Commissioner and Chief Nwodo on the items they collected from the scene, including batteries, pellets and other materials used in preparing the IED.

He said that they would be carefully scrutinised and analysed.

Meanwhile, Nwodo has expressed surprise that anybody would be after his life but added that the incident would not deter him from leading his people.

In his speech, he had thanked the Commissioner of police for his prompt response to the incident.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Umudele in U kehe, Igwe Lawrence Aroh, thanked God for saving the life of the President General.

The monarch wondered why some bad elements would constitute danger to others in a country bountifully endowed by nature.

He assured the Commissioner that the people would be extra vigilant and that any such attempt in the future would be nipped in the bud.

The Enugu State Director of DSS, Mrs E A Likiyon, was also at the scene. - Daily Post

Ferguson : Manchester United's fierce rivalry with Arsenal transformed the Premier League

Alex Ferguson believes the rivalry between his great Manchester United team and Arsene Wenger's Arsenal "made" the Premier League.

Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles at United but was regularly pushed close by the Gunners, with old rival Wenger set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season.

The pair experienced a ferocious rivalry but have since built a friendship, and Ferguson hailed the Frenchman's impact in the development of the Premier League in the 1990s.

"Although the Premier League started in 1992-93, that rivalry became the highlight of the league season," Ferguson told United Review ahead of Wenger's last visit to Old Trafford as Arsenal boss on Sunday.

"Liverpool, without question, is the biggest fixture United ever got involved in, simply because of the history of both clubs: the two most successful clubs in Britain. I love those games, they're fantastic.

"I know that now the rivalry has changed a bit, with Man City doing well, but these are the games that any Man United player would love to be involved in now: against City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham.

"There are some great clubs and some fantastic competition in the Premier League now, but United against Arsenal was great for the game. It made the Premier League."

Although Arsenal have stagnated in the latter period of Wenger's near 22-year spell at the club, Ferguson accepts he had to learn some lessons from the 68-year-old, who won three Premier Leagues between 1997-98 and 2003-04.

"When Arsene came to Arsenal, he changed a lot of the eating habits and fitness regimes at the club," Ferguson said.

"He was ahead of the game at that particular time. We took examples, as we always tried to take examples from anybody who was improving. 

"It was like when you're driving along the road: you have to be aware of somebody coming up in your wing mirror, trying to overtake you. That was the case with us and Arsenal for quite a few years.

"Virtually every game we played against Arsenal, there was a real edge to the match. There were confrontations, because there were two teams and two managers battling for one award: the Premier League.

"In my time, we had a few arguments but I always did really respect the man because he did a fantastic job at his club." - Goal

PL news : Alex Ferguson presents Wenger with gift ahead of Manchester United v Arsenal

Ferguson presented Arsene Wenger with a farewell gift on the Frenchman's last visit to Old Trafford to face Manchester United before leaving Arsenal.

Wenger's near 22-year stay at the club will conclude at the end of the season, with Arsenal aiming to win the Europa League to finish his reign on a high.

The 68-year-old named a callow side for Sunday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford, resting stars including Mesut Ozil for the semi-final first-leg trip to Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

And ahead of kick-off, Ferguson was on hand to present Wenger with a special commemorative metal gift, while Jose Mourinho gave his old rival a warm embrace on the touchline.

Ferguson has led the tributes to former foe Wenger since the Arsenal manager's announcement earlier this month and spoke about him again ahead of the game.

He said to United Review: "In my time, we had a few arguments but I always did really respect the man because he did a fantastic job at his club." - Goal

Tweets can't help you win elections, prof tells youth

Akinjide Osuntokun, an emeritus professor of history and international relations, has urged Nigerian youth to participate actively in politics and the electoral process.

Speaking during the book reading of Aisha Osori’s ‘Love Does Not Win Elections’ organised by the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, (ISGPP), Osuntokun said no amount of cyber presence can help youth win elections.

He advised the youth to form parties that are ideologically focused and relevant to changing the ineffectiveness of governance in Nigeria.

“Young people should think of forming ideological parties that would bring the desired change. They should also understand that no amount of cyber presence, posts, tweets can win them elections,” Osuntokun said.

He said there is need to have a discussion on Nigeria population so as to have a census which would give the correct population of Nigerian citizens and electorate.

he said no one knows the accurate figure of the population of Nigeria, “which is being beefed up by migrants from neighbouring countries including, Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and others”.

The book, ‘Love Does Not Win Elections’, chronicles the experiences of Aisha Osori, in her quest to secure the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest an election.

It details the build up to her conceiving and kick-starting her grassroots mobilisation for the ticket; her experience with political patrons, the question of indigeneity as regards her candidature, her efforts as an aspirant, the politics of delegates, the gender dimension of her campaign, and the intrigues that took place before during and after the party’s primary elections. - Cable Nigeria

36-year-old Man docked for alleged fake vision, obtaining N400,000 to avert death

A man, Temitope Adeite was on Friday arraigned in a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State for allegedly obtaining N400, 000 from one Mrs Emmanuella Obafemi over fake vision.

Adeite, whose address was not provided, was alleged to have collected the money from his victim to appease the gods over a vision he saw that the woman would die.

The accused was charged with obtaining under false pretenses contravening Section 322 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Akpan Ikem told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in March at Ikoga area of Badagry.

“The accused collected the money from the complainant, Mrs Emmanuella Obafemi, to appease the gods over a vision he saw that the woman would die.

“He converted the money to his personal use and went on a spending spree but later ran away when he realises that the police were after him.

“He was later arrested, brought for questioning and charged before this court,” he said.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In a ruling, Chief Magistrate, Jimoh Adefioye granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Adefioye said the sureties should show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until May 23 for mention. - NAN

Gov. Bello wasted over N5bn on Dino Melaye’s failed recall – PDP alleges

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has allegedly accused the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of wasting over N5 billion public fund on his failed plot to recall the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district of the State, Dino Melaye.

The party, which described Governor Yahaya Bello as, “heartless” lamented that the over N5 billion would have paid at least two months salaries of workers in the State.

Reacting to the boycott of the Saturday’s INEC verification exercise by the electorate, the PDP in a statement signed by Achadu Dickson, Director Research and Documentation, called for thorough investigation of the claim by some of the electorates who turned out for the exercise that their signatures were forged.

“Those who were involved in the petition submitted to INEC for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye must be arrested and tried for forgery, ” the PDP said.

The party said the huge human and financial resources deployed to the “Dino Melaye must go” agenda would have made meaningful impact on the lives of the downtrodden in Kogi State, especially the workers that are being owed several months salary.

It declared that the open rejection of the recall agenda by the people of Kogi State was a clear signal that APC and Governor Yahaya Bello have been rejected in the State.

Reacting to the allegations, the chief press secretary to the Kogi State governor, Petra Akiti Oyegbule, said it is unfortunate that the main opposition party is coming out with another bunch of lies.

She maintained that, the Governor has no interest in the recall of the embattled senator.

“It is high time media houses start holding people responsible and accountable for what they say. Right now, it goes beyond politics. It’s our responsibility, because people cannot just continue to fabricate issues when there are none. The governor will not be interested in spending any amount on Dino Melaye’s recall. - Daily Post